2. What is the Department for Transport?
The Department for Transport is the government
department in charge of the English transport system.
It also is responsible for some areas in Scotland, Wales &
Northern Ireland which are not devolved.
(Devolution meaning “the statutory granting of powers from the Parliament of the United
Kingdom to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern
Ireland Assembly and to their associated executive bodies the Scottish Government, the
Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.”)
3. Secretary of State/Ministers
• Justine Greening - Secretary of State
Overall responsibility, transport security, high speed rail.
• Theresa Villiers - Minister of State Rail
Aviation and London transport.
• Norman Baker - Parliamentary Under-
Secretary of State
Buses and taxis, walking and cycling, parking.
• Mike Penning - Parliamentary Under- Justine Greening
Secretary of State
Roads, freight and maritime.
4. Main areas of responsibility
Roads:
• Ensuring the road network functions
efficiently and safely.
Aviation:
• The Department’s role is to develop policies
and long-term strategies; to facilitate their
implementation; and to lead international
negotiations in the aviation sector.
Rail:
• The Department for Transport’s
responsibilities in the running of the
railways are to provide strategic direction
and to procure rail services and projects
that only it can specify.
Shipping:
• The Department for Transport works to
ensure that the UK’s shipping, ports and
waterways are operated in an
efficient, safe, secure and sustainable
manner.
5. Mission Statement
“Our vision is for a transport system
that is an engine for economic
growth, but one that is also greener
and safer and improves quality of
life in our communities.”
6. Current Priorities
• Deliver the Coalition’s commitments on
high speed rail
• Secure our railways for the future
• Encourage sustainable local travel
• Tackle carbon and congestion on our
roads
• Promote sustainable aviation
7. Objectives
• Sustain economic growth and improved
productivity through reliable and efficient
transport networks.
• Improve the environmental performance of
transport.
• Strengthen the safety and
security of transport.
• Enhance access to jobs,
services and social networks,
including for the most
disadvantaged people.
8. Other information
• The Department for Transport was formed in
2002
• The headquarters is in London
• The annual budget is £5.3 billion (current) & £7.7
billion (capital) in 2011-12
